An artist who weaves the present and past to convey his concerns

Artist Hindol Brahmbhatt’s practice revolves around attainment of thematic and stylistic unity. Its broad objective is to form a language that calls for continuity and intuition. This infinity of composition reminds us that each work is a part of a greater body of images and ideas. These are schematic images of evolution, growth and creativity. The messages need not be ‘analyzed and solved’; they simply exist.

Beyond the visual appeal it may exude, the subject matter essentially underlines that history has now become a display item, as conveyed through the portraits of historical figures. In fact, Hindol Brahmbhatt treats his work as a documentation of historical reality in contemporary context even while he looks for clues of social changes. Thus emerges a universe that the viewers can identify with, albeit from a new perspective! He leaves it to them to interpret it and draw their own conclusions.

With a wide artistic range and broad visual vocabulary - based on soothing colors and an uncomplicated treatment of the core subject - he brings out the complex reality of urban life. Despite a restrained usage of colors and forms, his work is striking in terms of composition and content. The artist chooses to distil his visual vocabulary for a maximum impact.

The works resonate with an outward simplicity of the subject matter. They subtly hide and progressively heighten complexities of the inherent drama. His technique involves starting with an image in photographic emulsion, and later adding acrylic, shellac, clay, sand etc. to build textures of incredible variety and sensitivity, and in the process, unpacking mythic pathos and historical ironies.

The artist meticulously experiments with the images culled from past and present reference points until he is able to deduce the desired effect. He often uses cheery visuals of urban life for depicting one side of life, whereas iconic portraits carved on dark charred wood, represent the hardships endured. His pointed observations coupled with his imagination give a contextual touch to his art that looks to not only please the viewers’ eyes, but also touch their souls.